Consider the Cost

Read: 1 Peter 1:18-21

“Yum!” Hazel said as her mom set a bowl of bright red strawberries on the table. They had just gotten home from the Fourth of July parade and were enjoying a snack on the patio.

“Can we go see the fireworks tonight?” Ollie asked as he popped a strawberry into his mouth. “And can Zane come with us?”

“As a matter of fact, we’ve asked Zane’s family to join us for a picnic before the fireworks,” Mom told him.

Dad smiled when Ollie let out a whoop. “I’ve been talking to Zane’s dad about Jesus lately,” Dad said. “He’s interested, but he says he can’t believe he doesn’t have to do something to earn his way to heaven—he says nothing is really free. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk more about it with him tonight.”

Mom helped herself to some strawberries. “Did you kids enjoy the parade?” she asked.

“Yeah!” said Ollie. “When we were waiting in line to get popsicles, we talked to a man in a wheelchair. He was a veteran, and now we appreciate the freedom we have in this country more than we ever did before.”

Hazel nodded. “It never cost us anything, but it cost that man a whole lot.”

“And it cost some people even more—it cost them their lives,” Ollie added.

“It’s so easy to take our blessings for granted,” said Dad. “We forget that someone paid a big price for them.” He looked at Ollie and smiled. “You’ve given me an idea for helping Zane’s dad understand salvation.”

Ollie raised his eyebrows. “I have?”

Dad nodded. “Like I said, Zane’s dad thinks salvation can’t be free—he thinks it should cost something. Maybe I can show him that, like the liberties we enjoy in America, salvation is free to us, but someone paid a big price for it. It cost God the life of His only Son, Jesus. We can enjoy freedom from sin and life with God forever because Jesus was willing to pay the price for our salvation.”

“Wow!” said Hazel. “I’m so glad He paid the price so I could be free.”

“Me too,” said Dad. “Let’s pray that we can help Zane and his family understand that salvation is free for them too.”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do you realize what salvation cost? Jesus had to leave the glories of heaven and live in this sinful world. He had to take the punishment you deserve and suffer and die on a cross—all to pay the price for you to be saved from sin and have eternal life with Him. Because He paid that price, salvation is free to you. Accept His gift by trusting in Him today! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: You were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus paid for salvation